Thread: Warthog Knife Sharpener Question

I've been looking at these since the forum brought them to my attention, and was pretty keen on ordering one. I already have a lansky kit and can also freehand sharpen when I have to, but I'd like something to live in the kitchen to keep all those knives tickled up. Ideally something that you can just stroke the knife through a few times without rigging clamps etc, but not one of the 'scraper' type sharpeners. Primarily, something convenient for the wife to use.

Anyway, the feedback on this forum and the wider net seems good. Until you get to the website www.warthogsharp.com. On the top of the homepage it has the interesting statement "Due to numerous customer complaints about product quality and reliability, we will be closing." The customer reviews page shows 17 reviews; all one star and often relating to the quality of the diamond plating. I can't quite figure it out - is this website legit? Something created by some competitor or disgruntled former employee? Or is there really a problem here? The website address is referred to on various forums as a Warthog distributor.

This sharpener is not particularly cheap particularly by the time you add it some extra grit rods. I'd be well annoyed if the rods flake off or wear out quickly. So for those here who have one of these sharpeners, how are they holding up?

i just bought the spyderco, works well

I have one but am yet to give it a decent work out, still use a small stone and steel. @Danny_b has one and gets good results

No issues with my Warthog. Use it as least once a week and works well. I'd be gutted if they went out of business. Having tried nearly everything else, nothing comes close in terms of ease of use and effectiveness at that price point.

That website looks dodgy as fuck! Try this:https://warthogusa.com/

correct I have one and get great results with it, I will be bloody disapointed if they are discontinued .......watching

I bought one years ago in New Caledonia . Brought it back here and used it a bit. But as the comment said, the diamond grit on it was far from impressive. I ended giving it to an old girlfriend.the sharpness obtained never matched what I could get with the spyderco tri-angle. The spyderco tri-angle with the optional diamond rods is not cheap but has worked very well for me for the last 20 years.

I have a kenonion Workssharp, thats amazing.

Where is the best place to get these?

Originally Posted by timattalon

Where is the best place to get these?

TradeMe. The vendor is good to deal with and happy to sell directly.

There is a new worksharp product that looks way better, fairly cheap and there already a few mods for it, if I was going for cheap, easy and cheerful I would look there, if you want a mirror polished knife that you can whittle hairs with then I can do that, my prices are cheap and I have brevet had an unsatisfied customer yet, if you are not happy you don’t pay.

I use my Warthog a couple of times a week. Does an 80% job every time. I too have a Lansky and multiple large honing stones, but hate the wasted hours sitting sharpening a blade using them.

The Warthog does a pretty good job in 1 minute. But yes, would be pissed if it shuts down due to shite coatings on the stones.

Lots of good responses, thanks. To those who have one and like it ( @MB @dannyb @XR500 ) how long have you been using it? Long enough to be pretty sure the rods hold up? @Friwi what didnt you like about the grit? Wore down fast, came off, just wasn't aggressive enough from the start?

For the other options suggested, spyderco I expect works well but I think a fully guided product (i.e. not just hold the knife vertical) might be better here. Worksharp looks interesting, but a bit aggressive for regular edge maintenance? Scary sharp isn't what I'm looking for - I'll still use the lansky and magnetic holder I made for my outdoor knives but dont want that kind of setup for the kitchen. Not looking to send them out for sharpening either thanks.

I committed a sin a few months ago by going to h&f to get a sharpener for my hunting knife and having read about the popularity on here about the Warthog, that was my goal to purchase.
After talking to the salesman, he actually said they were junk and I was better off getting a Lansky which was ofcource alot cheaper. I ended up walking away with the Lansky with the four stones and I'm very happy with it. But why would he under sell to me when I was prepared to buy the more expensive Warthog?
I realize this sort of sharpener (Lansky) is not what you're looking for but just thought I would share my experience.

Originally Posted by Allizdog

I committed a sin a few months ago by going to h&f to get a sharpener for my hunting knife and having read about the popularity on here about the Warthog, that was my goal to purchase.
After talking to the salesman, he actually said they were junk and I was better off getting a Lansky which was ofcource alot cheaper. I ended up walking away with the Lansky with the four stones and I'm very happy with it. But why would he under sell to me when I was prepared to buy the more expensive Warthog?
I realize this sort of sharpener (Lansky) is not what you're looking for but just thought I would share my experience.

I could never sharpen anything to save myself. Brought a Lansky thinking it would solve my woes and get my knives sharp.
I hated it so ...........went to second hand shop and brought a hanful of knives and then 2 of these
one 500grit and one 2000 grit and taught myself to sharpen properly

However a Warthog looks like it might be an easy way to set an angle on a knife that has seen better days

I hated the Lansky with quite some passion. The guide holes are too wide to give a constant angle unless you clamp rod in to them in to place with your hand, but each to their own.

@PaulNZ - Just did a quick search on the forum, this is what I wrote just over a year ago and as I say, have used it pretty much weekly since then. Admittedly, I rarely use anything but the stainless steel stropping hones for a quick tickle-up. I use the 325 and 1000 grit hones for establishing an edge. I know some people don't like the Warthog and I'd prefer the main frame to be made of metal rather than plastic, but no issues. Not trying to sell anything here, just genuinely impressed with a relatively cheap product.

The Warthog works very well with stiff blades. Flexible filleting knives require a little bit more concentration, but I wouldn't use anything else.

Originally Posted by MB

OK, so I got one and it is as close to the holy grail of amateur knife sharpening that I've come across. Relatively cheap, easy to use (almost pleasant) and effective. I now have an odd-looking hairless patch on my left forearm!

I've ordered some 1000 grit hones. The 325 grit hones that come with the kit are certainly effective, but a bit too coarse for maintenance sharpening in my opinion.